Lyssa Layne's Blog, page 15
August 21, 2014
Striving for Perfection Cover Reveal
Title: Striving for Perfection
Series: Striving #2
Author: BL Mooney
Cover Design: Kari Ayasha at Cover to Cover Designs
Release Date: September 18, 2014
Synopsis
Perfection is a gimmick.
It’s something they use to sell you shit you don’t need. The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect marriage. Photos of that perfect life are all around us, but none of it exists.
I know better because I take those photos. It’s all a ruse to make us think that’s what we want. Behind closed doors, the house is a mess, the family is fighting, and that loving couple hates each other. I prefer a different city every week, laughing friends, and a variety of lovers.
Until Carl. I’m not sure what I want when he’s around.
Perfection is an illusion.
It’s something used to make you forget all the bad shit that happens in this world. It’s an unattainable dream not worth the effort.
I had the perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect marriage. Or so I thought. That illusion died with my wife and slammed me into reality. Aside from my daughter, business deals and making money is where my heart is now.
Until Rachael. I’m not sure what I feel when she’s around.
Add to Goodreads
Available Now
AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
Excerpt
I put my body into as tight of a ball as possible when Carl
got behind me. Every time he tried to get into my shirt, I jabbed his ribs with
my elbow. Every once in a while he would get his hands in between my arms and
squeeze my breasts. It was when his hand roamed lower between my legs that I’d
had enough. I stomped on his foot and elbowed his gut.
“For crying out loud, Rachael! Give it to me!”
“No!” I fought him even harder until he backed away.
We both stood catching our breaths. “You are impossible.” He
had his hands on his hips as he walked to the door.
“Me? You’re the one trying to cop a feel during our
scuffle.”
“I was trying to see if I could feel it in your bra.”
I tilted my head and scowled at him. “My bra is up here.” I
pointed to the girls.
The smirk that started to spread across his face told me he
knew exactly what he had done. “Hey, you can’t expect a man to wrap himself
around you and not try to take advantage.”
I sat at my desk and wiped away dust that wasn’t there. “No
one takes advantage of me.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment as his eyes squinted a
little. “You win this round, Rach.” He reached for the door. “Watch out for
round two.”
I stopped him before he touched the door. “Carl.” He turned
as I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out the right flash drive. I tossed
it to him.
He was stunned and fumbled, but caught it. “What’s in your
bra?”
I shook my head. “My copy of the photos. It’s just a small
lesson, Carl. You won’t get anything from me until I’m ready to give it.”
He stood there longer than I wanted him to, but I refused to
look up at him to see what he was doing. I wanted to act as if his presence
hadn’t bothered me. I wasn’t going to keep that hidden for long. He started to
walk toward me.
“Let’s start over. There shouldn’t be hostility. We’re
adults and things didn’t work out for us personally, but I really believe we
could work well together.”
I stopped moving the mouse, but I didn’t look up at him.
“Just forget everything?” I shook my head. “I don’t think I can do that.” I
went back to work.
Carl reached down and covered my hand with his. “Then how
about a truce?”
I looked at his hand covering mine until he removed it.
“Fine.” I looked up to him. “But keep your hands to yourself.”
He held his hands up in mock surrender and smiled. “You make
that kind of difficult, but I’ll try.”
“You’ll do more than try if you want to keep all of your
appendages.” I looked him right in the eyes. “And don’t underestimate me.” I
went back to work. “Follow those two rules and we’ll be fine.”
He looked at the flash drive still in his other hand and
nodded. “No touching and don’t underestimate you. Anything else?”
“That’s all for now.”
“Hey, are you looking at the photos now?” He started to come
around the desk.
“No, Carl. Those are in my bra.” I swiveled in the chair to
face him.
“Here, use mine. I really want to look at these, and I have
a ton of meetings when I go back.” He held out his flash drive as I reached up
to take it. He grabbed my hand, yanking me out of my chair. Before I could stop
him, both of my hands were behind my back with one of his hands holding them together.
“Carl! Let me go.”
He tossed his flash drive on the desk and ran his hand
through his hair. He smiled. “That was easier than I thought.”
I tried to break free, but his hand only got tighter. “You
will regret this.”
“Maybe, but it will be worth it.” He moved his hand up to
the top button on my blouse. I closed my eyes as he started to unfasten them.
He stopped on the third one and I looked at him again. “Keep your eyes open or
it’s going to take even longer.”
I whispered, “What are you doing, Carl?”
“Helping you out.”
He continued to the last button above my slacks. He spread
my shirt open, grazing my belly with his fingers. I hated how much I still
wanted him. I hated that I was thankful for him holding my hands or I would’ve
attacked him on my desk. He started at my belly button and slid his fingers up
toward my breasts. If he reached them, it would be over and I would beg him to
fuck me. I started fighting harder this time, breaking one hand free.
“Whoa!” He grabbed my hand and placed it behind my back. It
caused him to get closer to my face, but at least he wasn’t touching more than
my hands. “I’m just trying to help you.” He looked at my bra and smiled. “Red
is my favorite color. Thank you for wearing it today.”
My eyes went wide as I watched him lower his head to my
breasts. I swore I would never allow myself to get mixed up with this man again
and yet, that was exactly what was going to happen. I felt his tongue against
my skin and tried not to react. I closed my eyes when I felt his teeth graze me.
I opened my eyes when I felt him stand. Between his teeth,
he had the flash drive I’d hidden in my bra. He bent over and let it drop to
the desk. He turned back to me with a devilish look and smiled. He looked back
down to my breasts and licked his lips.
“Don’t you dare.”
He looked in my eyes and smiled. “You enjoyed that.”
“I’m going to enjoy killing you much, much more.”
He looked at my breasts again. “Well, your nipples don’t
lie.”
“I need to button up. Please let me go.”
“See, asking nicely will get you—” He let go, and I slapped
him across the face.
I walked around the other side of the desk, buttoning my
shirt as quickly as possible on my way to unlock and open the office door. I
couldn’t be in a secluded setting with him anymore. I turned around and ran
into his chest. He slammed the door shut behind me.
“Don’t you ever do
that again.” His voice was quiet and firm as he spoke through gritted teeth.
“And don’t you ever do that again.” I matched his tone as I pointed back to the desk. “You
will respect me or I’ll aim a little lower next time.” I opened the door again.
“Out!”
Author Bio
B.L. Mooney started writing when the voices and storylines in her head ran out of room. They were getting too cramped and neither B.L. nor the characters could take it anymore, so she did the only thing she could do—she made room. She always knew she wanted to write, but vowed to make time for it later. Now that she’s made time for writing, most everything else falls to the wayside. That seems to suit the characters that keep popping up in her head just fine.
B.L. lives in the Midwest, and her other talents include in-demand cookies, a very dry sense of humor, and stealth eavesdropping. Some mannerisms, attitudes, or twists come from random sentences picked up while passing by strangers. So speak up the next time you have something to gossip about. You never know, it may just end up on the pages of the next book you read.
She loves to hear from her readers and you can contact her via email at AuthorBLMooney@gmail.com
Author Links
GOODREADS
Tempt My Heart by Danielle Jamie Blitz Tour
Title: Tempt My Heart
A Brittan McKenna Story
Author: Danielle Jamie
Release Date: May 1, 2014
What REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT
TEMPT MY HEART
‘Tempt My Heart was absolutely amazing. Danielle Jamie can make you ugly cry, smile, laugh and feel all those tingly feeling when she writes those heavy and hot sex scenes.’ ~ 5+ Stars, Book Whores R Us Book Blog
‘Holy Moly, what a book!!!! I absolutely LOVED it. Danielle Jamie has the ability to break me. The raw emotions I felt while reading this book shook me to my core. She brings hope from loss so devastating and brings love to a soul everyone thought was lost. The pain I felt was deep and debilitating but it is so WORTH IT!!!’ ~ 5+ Stars, Eskimo Princess Book Reviews
‘Danielle Jamie has penned an amazing story of love, heartbreak and second chances. It’s completely original in concept and prose. You will laugh, you will sigh and you will cry your eyes out. I’m still not over this book and I don’t think I ever will be. This one stays with you and as of now it’s one of my top reads of 2014.’ ~ 5 Stars, Give Me Books
WARNING
This book will emotionally wreck you!! Do not read at work or in a crowd of people unless you’re okay with them watching you ugly cry like Farrah Abraham haaa!! Then as soon as you recover from your emotional breakdown prepare to be VERY hot & bothered!!!
This is a heart wrenching tale of love and loss with a sexy twist in the form of rockers Jordon Valentine and Brittan McKenna. If you love sexy rockstars and are a sucker for a sad story then Tempt My Heart is your kind of book. Bloggers say they haven’t cried this hard since ‘Taking Chances’ By Molly McAdams and crushed so hard on a rocker since Kellan Kyle! This standalone is a must read! Brittan McKenna and Jordon Valentine are going to rock your world.
SYNOPSIS
Brittan McKenna’s life was perfect. After getting engaged to her high school sweetheart her happily ever after seemed to be all planned out. However after 9/11 her fiancé drops out of college to enlist; Brittan’s life takes a swift turn. During his tour she tried to stay strong and hold onto the hope that he’d soon return to her, but then the unthinkable happens and she gets the news every military spouse prays they never have to hear.
On the day Cane died, Brittan believed her heart had died along with him…or so she thought until her passion for music causes her to blaze a new trail testing fate and “tempting tomorrow”.
Eight years marks the anniversary of Cane’s death when Brittan sets eyes upon Jordon; a guitarist whose shrouded in mystery and a world class bad boy for her bands opening act, Tempting Tomorrow. Will he have that spark to set Brittan’s heart a light? After swearing off love will Brittan allow herself to feel again after years of trying anything to numb her pain and heartache?
Does Jordon have what it takes to win her heart and make Brittan love again?
Falling for a rock star is a dangerous game, but it’s a hopeless task when you both have hidden demons.
For Jordon love does not exist… not until he meets the lovely Brittan who has the power to tame the untameable beast inside of him.
Will Brittan open her heart to love or will she sabotage the relationship before it even has a chance?
ADD TO GOODREADS
LINKS TO BUY
ON SALE FOR 99c
AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
B&N
EXCERPT
Jordan’s POV
I think my heart just stopped and then started again, as I take in the site of Brittan wearing boy short panties and a tight tee. A ghost of a smile creeps across my lips as her eyes land on mine.
Her mouth makes an O shape and she screams, “Holy shit, Jordon!” while trying to tug her very tiny tee down.
I kick my foot up on my knee and stretch my arms out along the bench seat as I relax against in the booth. Her all of a sudden shyness is adorable and making my dick stir to life in my jeans. I let out a low raspy laugh, “I don’t know why you’re all of a sudden all bashful. It’s not like I haven’t been up close and very personal with what’s under those adorable leopard panties of yours.”
Plopping down across from me she furrows her brows as she snatches the latte from in front of me, “Sorry I’m a little more self-conscious when I’m not drunk.”
“Well with a body like that, you should never feel self-conscious because I swear on this blueberry muffin,” I actually got a small smile out of her with that one, “You have the hottest body to ever grace this earth…and believe me I’ve seen my fair share. So you need to take my word for it.”
Breaking off a piece of her chocolate muffin she’s been nibbling on she chucks the chunk of muffin at my head and lets out the cutest little laugh, “You’re such a pig. But thanks, I guess.”“You’re welcome. Now that you’re caffeinated is it safe to ask you about last night without being kicked in the baby makers and tossed out on my ass?” I ask as I sip my latte, and prepare myself for a Brittan bitch slap.
Brittan doesn’t speak for a few moments; she just stares down at her muffin while scooping whipped cream off of her latte and licking it off her finger.
Fuck. I am trying to be Mr. Concerned but it’s really hard when she is doing shit that’s making me hard.
Now I know why guys and girls aren’t normally ‘just friends.’
AUTHOR BIO
Amazon Bestselling Author and a mother of 3 wonderful kids. Madison 11 Bailey 6 and Finn 3. I run a successful online boutique, Bailey Booper’s Boutique; many of my items featured on Teen Mom 2.I live in a small town in NY with my husband of 11 years, enjoying my happily ever after. My perfect day is spending time at the beach, I love the Ocean. I’m an outdoorsy type of girl; every chance I get I’m outside walking or running around with my kids.
I have been writing for as long as I can remember but I finally decide to pursue my dreams of sharing my stories with the world when I published my first Novel Irresistible Desire back in March 2013.
AUTHOR LINKS
GOODREADS
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 18, 2014
Cover Reveal for Conquered by LP Lovell
Title: Conquered
Series: She Who Dares #2
Author: LP Lovell
Cover Design: SM Piper
Release Date: September 2014
Synopsis
Love is a war in which only the fearless may conquer. The loss of love is a test in survival.
Love. It’s such an understated word. It has the ability to grip you so hard you become completely consumed by it, and when it releases you, you find yourself on your knees. Lilly Parker has me on my knees and I cannot muster the will to stand.
Betrayal. It’s all the worse when it comes from those we love. The pain, that much more intense. The loss, that much more heart breaking. I took a chance on Theodore Ellis and I lost.
How hard is Theo willing to fight for the woman he loves? Can Lilly fight her demons, or will she push away the only man capable of facing them with her?
Conquered is the emotional, gritty second part of Lilly and Theo’s story.
Add to Goodreads
Available Now
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1lc9Som
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1sObmre
B&N
KOBO
Author Bio
LP Lovell is an Indie Author from Salisbury,
England. She’s known for her seriously laid back attitude, sick sense of humour
and a general lack of brain to mouth filter. Fuelled by copious amounts of Diet
Coke, she likes to create feisty female characters who bring men across the
pages to their knees. If she’s not writing then LP can be found riding her
horses, or walking her ever present writing companion; Tulula the dog.
Author Links
GOODREADS WEBSITE
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Ten Year Crush Release Day Blitz
Title: Ten Year CrushAuthor: Toshia Slade
Release Date: August 18, 2014
SYNOPSIS
Sometimes a crush can break you.When Gabby Murphy landed in her brother’s best friend’s lap her whole world
shifted.
But after years of watching Cam go through women her heart can’t take anymore.
Now in college, she’s finally ready to get on with her life. Her new boyfriend
is the perfect man to squash her craving for Cam. But her boyfriend has an
addiction, an obsession that Gabby soon finds out he can’t let go.
Some cravings last forever.
When Camron Taylor received a thump to the head, he couldn’t help but adore
Gabby. When she grows from cute kid to desirable woman his imagination goes to
places it shouldn’t. Afraid of ruining friendships he pushes her away. Until
something seems off with her new boyfriend.
The past isn’t always left there.
Cam is the savior she’s always needed. Gabby is the woman he’s always coveted.
When past mistakes come back with a vengeance will their love be strong enough
to fight it? Or will the past keep them apart?
ADD TO GOODREADS
LINKS TO BUY
US: http://amzn.to/1t8K4KK
UK: http://amzn.to/1vYM5ws
EXCERPT
Gabby walks by the table toting some surfer boy behind her. Anger ignites in my blood and I grind my molars to keep me from doing something stupid, and then grab my beer and take a deep pull.Cool it, dude. Josh’s baby sister. And it’s her birthday.Then that damn song comes on. I sit back and watch them out of the corner of my eye. When Gabby pulls him closer, I grip my bottle tighter, my muscles tense.
Mother. Fucker. Now she’s grinding on his leg. And Josh and Tiffany are bickering with each other. I can’t deal with any of this shit. I drain my beer and head to the bar for another one without a word.
“Motivation” by Kelly Rowland starts playing. Do they have to play every fuck-me song out there?
I lean back against the bar and chug my beer. Three drinks and it’s gone. I order another and head back to the table.
Gabby has her back to the asshat now and she’s doing this thing with her hips, moving lower and lower. If I wasn’t seeing red, I’d be rearranging myself.
Damn, she can move those hips.
Isn’t Josh going to do anything about this dude dry-fucking his sister on the dance floor?
Turning again, she’s back to fucking his leg. His hands move to her ass and that’s it, white-hot fury overtakes me. I slam my bottle down on the table making Tiffany jump. Josh gives me a what-the-fuck-is-your-problem look.
AUTHOR BIO
Toshia resides in Nicholasville, Kentucky with her husband, son, a dog, and a cat. Growing up in the small area known as Poosey she was a tom-boy and country girl at heart. At nineteen she married her husband, and then at twenty-one was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. She’s been a stay-at-home mom since he was born, enjoying watching her son grow up.Now, five years later, she is an avid reader and known in the book world as a reviewer. She is currently running a group for another author on Facebook. It was there, in that group, that she found the strength and courage to write her own book. Always having a love for writing, she finally said. “I can do this, I can write my own book and share the stories that are in my head.” She’s gearing up to release her first book Ten Year Crush.
AUTHOR LINKS
GOODREADS
GIVEAWAY
August 17, 2014
Chandelier Drop – Fire Engine Red – Heart and Arrow – Free Standing Lace Embroidery
Hey everyone! What do you think of these amazing Chandelier Drop earrings? The amazing Katie from KT Images Embroidery donated them to the Burst Into Flame Cover Reveal giveaway. I ran a contest on my Facebook page asking people what they thought Jesse O’Neil’s secret was in Burst Into Flame. I heard everything from he had a kid to Nick had a kid to that he was secretly in love with Nick or maybe Jesse was even involved in the final fire in Love is a Fire. No worries though, you’ll find out soon enough when Burst Into Flame is released next month!
A big thank you to Katie at KT Images Embroidery for the amazing donation. I love your work and creativity! Ladies, go scout out her shop and start building your wishlist and men, go start your Christmas shopping early!
August 13, 2014
Burst Into Flame Cover Reveal!
Book Information
Title: Burst Into Flame
Series: Burning Lovesick
Author: Lyssa Layne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Jesk from Biblioreviews
Release Date: September 2014
Synopsis
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”-Albert Schweitzer
Life before her husband had been simple. Dr. Katy Garrity ran, went to work, came home, and repeat. It wasn’t a glamourous life by any means but it was safe. She didn’t have to worry about getting close to anyone, getting hurt, or worse—losing them. But that was before she met Nick Garrity.
In a matter of ten months, they’d met, married, she’d become pregnant, and then in one quick instant, he was gone. She was a widow. It was a title she never thought she’d carry, especially not at thirty, but that’s what she was. She was no longer known as a runner or a doctor or a mother, she was a widow.
After losing both her father and her husband in the line of duty with FDNY, she should’ve learned her lesson but she was a stubborn woman which was part of the reason why her husband’s best friend fell for her. After Nick died, his comrade, Jesse O’Neil, stepped up as the man of her house and the head of her family. But can she fall in love with another fireman and risk being burned again?
Goodreads
Excerpt
Dr. Katy Garrity hopped out of the St. Luke’s Roosevelt ambulance, stepping cautiously onto the sidewalk. Fire and glass rained down from the inferno in the high rise building. Heat fanned from the fire, but Katy stood frozen watching the scene unfold in front of her.
A child’s screams could be heard above the sirens and splashes of water from the violent stream of the firemen’s hose sprayed the doctor’s cheeks. The stench of burnt plastic and wood filled her nose while soot and ashes now covered Katy’s chestnut ponytail, which was whipping against her face in the wind. Her eyes stung from the smoke that hung heavily in the air she was breathing.
Jolted forward by a passing paramedic, Katy snapped back to reality shaking her head. She rubbed her shoulder where her co-worker had run into her and looked at the triage area. Instead of heading to the red or yellow patients, her feet took her to the black section. Black meant the victims were already dead.
Her eyes scanned quickly searching for one fireman. Her stomach settled when she didn’t see who she was looking for. Satisfied for the moment that her heart wasn’t broken again, she returned to the red patients who were in need of immediate attention.
Seconds, minutes, hours passed and she cared for burn after burn until she couldn’t see straight anymore. The smell of burnt skin and the cries of the victims as she cleaned each wound were not things that would easily wash away when her shift ended. Tears had stung her eyes as she treated the first of the victims but now she was numb. Numb to their pain, numb to her compassion, numb and ready for the night to be over.
A commotion behind her broke her concentration. She heard firefighters screaming and shouting as they ran out of the building. She turned her attention to them and there was the fireman she’d been looking for earlier—slumped lifelessly between the two men calling for help.
Her pulse pounded loudly in her ears, blocking out everything, and her eyes focused only on the man in front of her. Sprinting to the injured fireman, Katy did her best to remain calm. Her finger pressed against his carotid artery, feeling for a pulse. Nothing. She moved her fingers checking for it again. Still nothing.
Her body trembled as panic took over her body. She shook his shoulders trying to rouse him but his head bounced lifelessly. A pot belly pushed against her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her away. She thrashed her arms and legs trying to get out of his hold, but he only squeezed her tighter. Watching them take the lifeless man away, she cried out, “Jesse!”
Author Bio
Lyssa Layne is first, and foremost, the proud momma to her precious daughter, AR. In addition to working full-time and being a mommy to AR, she is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a runner, blogger, and an infertility survivor.
Having watched one too many medical dramas and being inspired by author Rachelle Ayala, who introduced her to the world of indie writing, Lyssa decided to try her hand at writing a romance story. Her attempt turned into the Burning Lovesick series. You can find Lyssa’s own interests throughout her stories although all stories are fictional.
You can visit Lyssa’s writing blog at http://www.lyssalayne.wordpress.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @layne_lyssa or check out her Facebook page at Lyssa Layne Her debut novel, Love is a Fire , is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Love is a Fire is on sale for only 99 cents this week! Get your book for a buck through Tuesday, August 19 so you’re ready for Burst Into Flame when it releases next month.
GIVEAWAY PRIZES
1 ARC Copy of Burst Into Flame
1 e-book of Love is a Fire
1 Kindle Cover from Bags by Diane
1 set of Bleeding Hearts Vintage Rhinestone Swarovski Crystal Dangle Earrings from Jerry at Shade Songs & Twilight Shades
1 Bookmark Pack from Biblioreviews
1 Soul of Fire Bracelet from Leanna at Mystic Tears
1 Firefighter Maltese Cross Necklace from Robyn at R. Leigh Jewelry
1 Keep My Fireman Safe Maltese Cross Keychain from Jen at Jen Dooley Designs
1 Nook/Kindle Cover from Caosta
1 Love My Fireman Necklace from Kristy at Kiki’s Jewels
3 Handstamped Necklaces from My Hero Creations
1 Handstamped Bracelet from Say It and Wear It
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
August 12, 2014
Big day tomorrow!!!
Tomorrow is a HUGE day for me. First off, it’s the cover reveal for Burst Into Flame! This is the sequel to Love is a Fire and picks up right where the first book left off. Tomorrow, you’ll get to see the cover, read the blurb, and there will be TONS of giveaways going on, not to mention you can add it to your TBR Shelf on Goodreads. Check back in the morning for the big reveal!
Tomorrow and Thursday I will also be taking over the Once Upon a Crush Book Blog…all day, both days!!! This means awesome giveaways from people like Amanda from Amanda Siegel’s Vinyl Creations, chatting with Nick, Katy, and Jesse, sharing hot firemen pics, and lots more fun!
Sassy Scrabble Shoppe is donating a “I was Jessie’s Girl” necklace.
Christina from My Hero Creations is donating both of these handstamped necklaces. Bonus if you know what the second one means!
Nicola from She’s Crafty Always is donating this pair of heartbeat earrings.
Jackie from Kraus Haus Krafts is donating this EKG necklace.
Paula from Once Upon a Paula Time is donating this bottle cap heartbeat necklace.
Rosey Johnny is donating these amazing necklaces with my book covers on them!
Oh and my baby girl starts preschool tomorrow! So yeah, big day that you won’t want to miss!!!
Bad Boys of Romance Cover Reveal
BAD BOYS OF ROMANCE
A Biker Anthology
Kasey Millstead, Nina Levine, Abigail Lee,
Vicki Green, Shantel Tessier, Casey Peeler,
Morgan Jane Mitchell, Dee Avila & Rebecca Brooke
Cover Design: Amy Queau
Release Date: September 1, 2014
ADD TO GOODREADS
Fighting For Switch
(Switch & Jenn’s Novella)
By Kasey Millstead
Everyone knows that Switch and I are a couple, but no one knows the circumstances surrounding when we first got together.It’s not because we don’t want them to know.
Or, because we’re ashamed.
We’re not.
It’s just that we’d rather concentrate on the present, rather than the past.
But, it’s haunting me, and I need to get it off my chest.
So, here it is. Our story. The story of a woman and a man who fell in love when they had no right in doing so.
Connect with Kasey
Millstead
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Destined Havoc by Nina Levine
A man who walked away from it all.
A woman who craves it all.
A destiny they never saw coming.
Havoc Caldwell lost everything two years ago and left town a bitter and hard man. Now he lives life as a nomad with no ties or commitments to anyone but himself and his club, Storm MC.
Carla Walker is searching for more out of life. She grew up with no father, and her family struggled to make ends meet. Now she wants it all – a man who will make her his number one priority, a successful career, and a family of her own.
A chance encounter leads to a one night stand, and neither expect it to go any further. Havoc has no desire for a relationship and Carla could never see herself settling down with a biker. Sometimes though, a destiny you could never imagine exists and as much as you fight it, there’s no way you can escape it.
Connect with Nina
Levine
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Shifting Lines by Abigail Lee
Luke
Green is content with the business he owns, the women that pass through it, and
the nights he spends alone. When Riley Scott storms into his life, all lines he
had drawn are shifted around, leaving him with a choice. Will he allow her to
enter the place no one is allowed or will he send her on her way like the
others before her?
Connect with Abigail
Lee
FACEBOOK ~ GOODREADS
Steele by Vicki Green
Steele:
Fighting to stay alone
The need to be loved
Alone. He wants no one, needs no one, but himself. In need of money, Steele
Ryker finds a bar in a desolate area in the desert and secures a job as a
bartender/bouncer. The biker bar fills him with the fights he craves and the
women to fill his lonely nights until…. She walks in.Kallie Pearson is out for one thing, a good time. She’s bored of all the normal
guys, the normal hot spots and finds a bar that holds just wants she’s been
longing for…. Danger.
What she doesn’t know is just how much danger it holds.
Connect with Vicki
Green
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Dash by Shantel Tessier
Tabitha
Knight has spent the last year of her life in a relationship that made her lose
herself. Now that it’s over all she wants is a night out and to have some fun.
What she gets is much more.
Erik Dashling always finds himself in trouble.
One day he finds himself behind bars where he gets offered an opportunity he
can’t turn down. But what happens when the woman he decides he wants has the
power to take it away?
Connect with Shantel
Tessier
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Waiting on Walker by Casey Peeler
In
the small town of Barber, country music, motorcycles, and reckless teenagers
are the norm. Chauna Jackson and Walker Brantley are no exception. The
summer nights keep them hot, but they keep each other hotter. That is,
until Walker disappears from Chauna’s life when she needs him the most.After losing everything important in her life, Chauna replaces her love for
Walker with hatred. Fifteen years later, Chauna has quit waiting on Walker.
She is ready to focus on her life, career, and friends at Boondocks until
the unthinkable happens. Walker rides back into town, and he quickly realizes
Chauna wants nothing to do with him, but will he take no for an answer?
Will Walker be able to win over Chauna, or will the memories of their past
be too much for their future to handle?
Connect with Casey
Peeler
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Scar (Asphalt Gods MC #1)
by Morgan Jane Mitchell
“They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s
bullshit. What doesn’t kill you leaves a scar. More than the eyesore down my
torso, I was a scar, the jagged, fucked up remains of a tragedy.”
Scar’s Nomad status gives him a chance to fulfill his one wish, but his lonely
mission is interrupted when a possible one-night stand goes horribly wrong.
“They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but what if I can’t live with myself anymore?”
Finding the blonde face down in a puddle of her own blood jeopardizes everything. Saving her and keeping her quiet could get Scar killed, but when Emery wakes up, her shocking proposal for him to kill her starts the ride of his life.
Connect with Morgan
Jane Mitchell
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Against All Odds by Dee Avila
Cole West leaves his life in
California behind and heads east to race street bikes professionally. Cutting
all ties from his former life, he forms a wall around his heart. As he races,
he finds drinking and screwing his way through each city is the only option to
move on. He is still in love with his high school sweetheart. Rylan Goff the
girl his dad made him choose racing over. The girl his father made him leave
behind.
Now she’s here, on the race track of the first
race of the season, Daytona Beach Bike Week. As soon as Cole sees her, he knows
it’s Rylan. At first, she has no clue who he is. Once the truth comes out and
all past secrets are revealed can they reconnect?
Connect with Dee
Avila
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
Ryder by Rebecca Brooke
All you want
is to be invisible…
Ryder Harris
has spent most of his adult life moving from one place to another. He learned a
long time ago that people always let you down and the only person you can rely
on is yourself. When Ryder’s bike breaks down outside a small town, he’s left
with no choice but to hang around. Running from his past, hiding who he is
usually easy. That’s what he does. At least until the tough talking Ryann walks
into his life and some of the secrets he thought he’d never reveal push him
into the one thing he never wanted.
To be seen.
Connect with Rebecca
Brooke
FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 10, 2014
Everyone say Hi Jimmy!
Everyone say hi to my creative editor of Love is a Fire! His name is Jimmy and he’s pretty awesome. Jimmy and I were best lunch pals on Twitter meaning that we’d always commiserate or appreciate the other’s lunch. Whether it be PBJ, lunch with pals, or just leftovers from the night before, we’d always be excited or empathize with each other.
When I finished the original draft of Love is a Fire, it just sat there. I didn’t know what to do so I began my research and found that I needed an editor. My search for an editor was coming up dry until Jimmy and I were tweeting about our lunches. I knew he was in video production and I read that he was an editor. A couple direct messages later and my editor was found!
After Jimmy’s first edit, I added almost 10, 000 words to the story! Chapter 15 wasn’t there originally but he informed me I needed more fire drama. He also got me to break down my timid sex scenes and embellish them a bit more i.e. New Year’s Eve. We also changed some characters names up and added some more tension between a certain two characters. Overall, I was beyond ecstatic with the input Jimmy gave me. Jimmy showed me so much support and excitement that sometimes I think he was more excited than I was about my book!
Jimmy is extremely talented with what he does in his line of work as a director and film maker. He’s actually starting his own business and producing his own movie! We both can relate to the waiting game, lack of funds game, and having too many ideas to be able to do them all game. Oh us artists, it’s a tough life, isn’t it? So unfortunately for me, Jimmy won’t be able to help me out with future novels but I know that he’ll always be one of my biggest fans! Check out this tweet from him:
I edited a book! http://www.amazon.com/Love-Fire-Burning-Lovesick-Book-ebook/dp/B00KLSLF8W … So proud of you, @layne_lyssa!
Thank you for all your help and support, Jimmy, but also thank you for being my real life lunch buddy now! Best of luck in all your adventures.
August 9, 2014
SATURDAY MORNING CHARACTERS: Sinéad O’FLANAGAN BY SARAH ZAMA
Today one of my fellow Critique Circle friends is with us to participate in Saturday Morning Characters. Everyone say, Hi Sarah!
Introduction to Sinead O’Flanagan
Good morning Sarah! Tell me a little bit about yourself and your writing.
I’m Sarah, I was born and raised near Verona (Italy) where I still live, although years ago I spent nearly one year in Dublin, working in one of her oldest café, the Bewely’s of Westmoreland Street, that has now sadly closed doors. I’m a bookseller in the university neighbourhood of Verona, job that I love.
I’ve written stories since the age of ten, got into fantasy at the age of sixteen. I’ve written short stories for years, but Ghost Trilogy is my first important project, a trilogy of novels, historically set, but with strong speculative elements. Some would call it dieselpunk. I’m in the process of preparing book one for submission.
In your words, give us a brief summary of your book.
Chicago, 1926. Sinéad O’Flanagan arrived from Ireland one year ago, determined to leave everything behind her: her land, her family, her friends. Especially her gift.
In Chicago, the old woman who’s her charge, Kathlyn the midwife, asks her a favoure she wouldn’t ask off anyone else: to return an old coin to her estranged niece Bridget.
But as Sinéad looks for Bridget, strange, frightening dreams start to haunt her, dreams of hate and fire, of darkness and death, and she finally realises there’s a soul pulsing inside the coin, a angry soul, calling for revenge.
Do you relate to Sinéad?
Yes, definitely. Sinéad is a regular woman trying to make rhyme and reasons of a completely new world. True, I live in the same place where I was born, but Italy has changed a lot in the last couple decades. So I’d say that, whereas Sinéad moved to a new world (from Ireland to the U.S.), a new world has moved towards me. We both have to find a way to cope with so many new realities.
Is this character based off someone you know in real life?
No, I never base my characters on people I know. I might give a character one or more traits from someone I know, but generally speaking, my characters are original, in the sense that they are their own men and women.
In real life, would you hang out with her?
I think I would happily hang out with Sinéad. We have lots of things in common. We both love Ireland, for example. We are both into traditions. And above all, we care for the same things. Family and friends are very important for both of us.
What would you two discuss over drinks?
Well, first of all, although Sinéad drinks, I don’t. So I’ll let her have her Rob Roy cocktail, but I’ll stick to orange juice.
Then, as I said, there are lots of things we could talk about, because we share the same interests. We would surely talk about out countries, the way people live and think and would try to see similarities and differences. We would talk about our families and the stories we learned from them. I’d love to learn from her the properties of healing herbs and maybe she would like to learn from me what does it mean to be a storyteller.
Why do you love/hate about Sinéad?
Sinéad always tries to do her best. Sometimes she has doubts about herself and her worth, she still thinks that, if she has the tiniest possibility to help, she should do it. I think that’s how a lot of people feel, but sometimes our doubts and fear stifle our willingness to help. Sinéad fights to overcome her fears and be as helpful as she can.
Anything else we need to know about her?
She’s a decent dancer. She’s very open-minded, although she doesn’t quite realise it. She likes fashion and the modern life, but always taken in small doses, because she hates any form of excess. When she is among friends, she loves to laugh and have fun.
Interview with Sinéad O’Flanagan
Hi Sinéad! Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Sinéad is a young woman in her mid-twenties and as she enters the room and sits down for the interview, it’s apparent she’s quite ill at ease about it.
“I don’t see why people would want to know about me,” she says with a shy smile. “I’m a regular woman.”
She sits with her back straight, clutching her purse with both hands in her lap.
“Do you like my purse?” she asks. “It’s a gift from a very good friend. She stitched it herself. Gifts are precious. They give you strength.”
She wears a very simple dress, tide with a sash at her hips. It’s a creamy colour that matches her cloche, which covers her hair almost completely, though rebel auburn curls escape and brush her cheeks.
Her face is all cover up with freckles, which she tried very hard to cover with make up, but still show through it. Her chestnut eyes are clear and large.
Please tell us about your family.
“I was born in a very little village in the Shannon Valley in Ireland. A very far away place, I now think, but…” Her voice trails away, but then she smiles. “It was home. It is home.
I never knew my father. Granny never told me about it. It feels as if my family was always a mostly female family. My mum dies of pneumonia when I was three and Granny raised me. She was a midwife, like most of my female ancestors. Like myself. She knew about herbs, and she knew about the soul and the spirit of people.”
She pauses only a moment, pensively. “I’m trying to follow in her footsteps as well I can. Granny taught me to speak by telling me the names of the different herbs and their properties. I learn to walk in the wood, where I help Granny gathering those herbs. When I was old enough – that means around ten – she started bringing me with her when she went to deliver babies.”
I have heard that your Granny was a wise woman.
“She was, even in the sense you mean.” She fidgets absentmindedly with her purse. “But my people understood it in a different way. Granny was a wise woman because she knew things only few people knows. People trusted her.” She wavered and bit at her lower lip. “Even dead people trusted her and sometimes they would come to talk to her.
Do they come to talk to you too?
“No. I can’t talk to ghosts.” Her fingers are still nervos over her purse. “Bones talk to me.”
You mean divination bones?
If you prefers to call them that. They’re bones. They’re like spirits. If you ask them questions, they’ll answer. And they will always say the truth.
You look a bit uncomfortable talking about it.
Many people don’t like me talking about it. They think I’m talking about witchcraft, which is ridiculous. This is the world around us, it isn’t something dark or devious. But still, especially in the big cities, especially modern youths don’t like to talk about it and I know I’ll get into trouble if I do.
When I left my village and I went to Galway, and especially when I came to Chicago, I thought maybe life was showing me a new way. Maybe I was supposed to leave the past behind and embrace a new life. I tried to do it, I really did. But I discovered all the meanings were in my past and in the knowledge my ancestors handed down to me. My knowledge. My bones. That’s who I am. I can’t just shed it. And I don’t want to.”
We’ll go on to something more easy. Your favorites. Tell us your favorite and why:
Word- Heart. Heart is the most important part of any being. It’s where all the knowledge is kept and where all the emotions reside. The way your knowledge and your emotions mix… that’s you. That’s the person you are.
Color- Can I choose two? Green and grey. That’s my home. That’s Ireland. When it rains – and you’d be surprise how often it does,” she laughs, “the grass turns a brilliant emerald green, but the sky remains overcast and grey – though of a luminous grey. The two colours seem to complement each other and make each other more brilliant by contrast. It happens so often in Ireland.
Food- Ginger cookies. Granny baked the best in the world.
Drink- I don’t drink often, but when I go out with friends, I usually get a cocktail or two. My favourite is the Rob Roy.
Subject in school- Granny was my school. She taught me everything I know. Herbs properties, the needs of a woman’s body. The emotions and fears of a mother before and after she delivers. Midwives must know the minds of mothers as well as their body, if they want to be of help.
Then, when I came to Chicago, I met a woman, Kathlyn, a midwife like myself. Her mother came from Ireland too. Kathlyn taught me to read and count. She also reminded me I should believe in myself, in my knowledge and my skills.
How did your last relationship end?
She stands still for a long moment, her face expressionless.
“I’m not sure there was any kind of emotional relationship with Cathal. I thought there was, but… you know, when Granny died, the world toppled upside down for me. People trusted Granny, but not me. I did my mistake, I won’t deny it, but I felt so lost and alone… and that was enough for them to think I was not a good midwife. I could not replace my Granny. It was hard. Hard and lonely and Cathal’s company felt good… and long as it lasted. Then he too merged into the flow of people who didn’t think enough of me.
Tell us your thoughts on love. Marriage? Kids?
“Love is such a precious, rare thing. We should be careful when giving it and when accepting it.”
She smiles. “But sometime you do find it.” She blushes so hard her freckles disappear under the make up. She lowers her gaze, still smiling. “I met this man, Michael. He’s a good man and he accepts me for who I am. He understands me. I don’t know whether we’ll ever marry, but I hope we’re spend the rest of our life together.”
Follow Sarah and your writing on her blog, Twitter, and Goodreads!
